Flexible channel molding assemblies

ABSTRACT

A flexible channel molding assembly may include a plurality of molding members. Each of the molding members defines a channel configured to receive a cable, and the plurality of molding members are configured to be pivotally coupled to one another along an axial direction to conform to a surface having a complex geometry.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/267,159, filed Dec. 14, 2015 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/327,895, filed Apr. 26, 2016, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a protective covering or enclosure forelectrical cables and the like and, more particularly, to a protectivemolding assembly for running cables along a structure having a complexgeometry.

It is known to provide protective covering systems for runningelectrical cables to, around, and in a building, particularly when it isnecessary to extend the cable along an interior wall or floor surface.Various conventional cover systems have been designed with attempts tosimplify their construction, reduce the time and labor necessary forinstallation of the cable and cover system, and provide a system that isas versatile as possible so as to be conformable for use with interiorand exterior surfaces of a building.

Some conventional systems use a snap-together clip and cover assembly.Typically, the clip is the base member which is anchored to the wallsurface and preferably as close as possible to a baseboard or othermolding strip so as to blend with the trim or molding and not undulydetract from the appearance of the wall.

For installations where the wall surface includes complex geometries,such as outside corners, inside corners, and the like, conventionalassemblies need to be premade in a custom design or formed from a largevariety of modular components. In either case, conventional assembliesare not well-suited to handle installations involving complex geometriesand result in greater cost and/or labor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for animproved protective cover assembly for electrical cables and the likethat is economical to construct and install while being readilyconformable for use in securing an electrical cable to wall or floorsurfaces having various complex geometries.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a flexible channelmolding assembly may include a plurality of molding members. Each of themolding members defines a channel configured to receive a cable, and theplurality of molding members are configured to be pivotally coupled toone another along an axial direction to conform to a surface having acomplex geometry.

Flexible channel molding assemblies according to the disclosure mayfurther include a flexible backing plate, and the plurality of moldingmembers may be configured to be coupled with the flexible backing plateto define an enclosed flexible channel molding assembly.

In some embodiments, each of the molding members may include a spineextending from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction Land two arms extending from opposite sides of the spine at an anglerelative to the spine. In some aspects, the two arms may extend at anoblique angle so as to form a U-shaped configuration. In variousaspects, a pair of mounting flanges extends from the opposite sides ofthe spine at the first end, wherein each of the mounting flangesincludes an opening. According to some aspects, wherein a pair of secondmounting flanges may extend from the opposite sides of the spine at thesecond end, wherein each of the second mounting flanges includes asecond opening. In some aspects, the pair of mounting flanges and thepair of second mounting flanges are configured such that when two of theplurality of molding members are arranged second end to first end alongthe longitudinal direction L, the pair of second mounting flanges isconfigured to overlap the pair of mounting flanges.

In some embodiments, the flexible channel molding assembly may comprisea connector configured to couple the two of the plurality of moldingmembers. In some aspects, the connector may be configured to be insertedthrough one of the openings and a respective one of the second openingsto couple said two molding members together. According to variousaspects, when coupled together, the two adjacent molding members areconfigured to be pivotable relative to one another and to others of saidplurality of molding members. In some aspects, the two adjacent moldingmembers may be configured to shape the flexible channel molding assemblyto conform to a structure having a complex geometry. For example, thetwo adjacent molding members may be configured to shape the flexiblechannel molding assembly to conform to an outside corner and/or aninside corner.

According to various embodiments, the flexible channel molding assemblymay include flanges that extend from ends of the arms of the moldingmembers and a backing plate. The flanges may be configured to couple themolding members with the backing plate to define an enclosed flexiblechannel molding assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages, and features of the presentinvention will become more readily appreciated and understood from aconsideration of the following detailed description when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary flexible channel moldingassembly for electrical cables in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary flexible channel molding assemblyfor electrical cables of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary molding member of theflexible channel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary end member of the flexiblechannel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary backing plate for use withthe flexible channel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector for use with theflexible channel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary flexible channel moldingassembly for electrical cables in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the exemplary flexible channel moldingassembly for electrical cables of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary molding member of theflexible channel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector of the flexiblechannel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary flexible channel moldingassembly for electrical cables in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the exemplary flexible channel moldingassembly for electrical cables of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary molding member of theflexible channel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector of the flexiblechannel molding assembly for electrical cables of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary backing plate of aflexible channel molding assembly for electrical cables in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the backing plate of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary backing member of thebacking plate of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary connector of the backingplate of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a protective channel molding or cover assembly 100in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The channelmolding assembly 100 includes a plurality of molding members 120 (FIG.3), one or more elongated end members 150 (FIG. 4), and a backing plate180 (FIG. 5). According to various aspects, the backing plate 180 may beconfigured as a flexible backing plate, for example. The flexibility ofthe backing plate 180 can be enhanced by notches 182 cut into thelateral edges 184, 186 of the backing plate 180, as shown in FIG. 5. Thenotches 182 can be spaced along a length 188 of the backing plate 180according to a predetermined spacing pattern, for example, every oneinch.

The molding members 120 may include a spine 122 extending from a firstend 124 to a second end 126 in a longitudinal direction L and two arms128, 128′ extending from opposite sides 129, 129′ of the spine 122 at anangle, for example, an oblique angle, relative to the spine 122 to forma substantially U-shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 3. At the firstend 124 of the spine 122, a pair of first mounting flanges 130, 130′extend from the opposite sides 129, 129′ of the spine 122, and each ofthe first second flanges 130, 130′ includes a first opening 140, 140′.At the second end 126 of the spine 122, a pair of second mountingflanges 132, 132′ extends from the opposite sides 129, 129′ of the spine122, and each of the second mounting flanges 132, 132′ includes a secondopening 142, 142′.

The pairs of first and second mounting flanges 130, 130′, 132, 132′ areconfigured such that when two molding members 120 are arranged secondend 126 to first end 124 along the longitudinal direction L, the pair ofsecond mounting flanges 132, 132′ can overlap the pair of first mountingflanges 130, 130′. A connector 190, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6,can be inserted through the openings 140, 140′, 142, 142′ in the firstand second mounting flanges 130, 130′, 132, 132′ to couple the twomolding members 120 together. The connector 190 may be configured as apeg or pin having, for example, a flange 192 defining a head end and twoor more fingers 194 extending from the flange 194. The fingers 194 areflexible such that the fingers 194 can be radially deflected as they areinserted through one of the first and second openings 140, 140′, 142,142′, while the flange 192 cannot be inserted through the openings 140,140′, 142, 142′. The fingers 194 may have a raised portion 196 thatcooperates with the flange 192 to define an annular channel that canlimit back-and-forth movement of the connector 190 relative to arespective mounting flange when the raised portion 196 is disposed on anopposite side of the mounting flange relative to the flange 192. Whencoupled together, the two adjacent molding members 120 may pivotrelative to one another and other molding members in order to shape theflexible channel molding assembly 100 to conform to a structure having acomplex geometry such as, for example, an outside corner, an insidecorner, and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, flanges 134, 134′ may extend from ends 136, 136′ ofthe arms 128, 128′ opposite to where the arms 128, 128′ extend from thespine 122. The flanges 134, 134′ are configured to engage the lateraledges 184, 186 of the backing plate 180, for example, by clipping ontoor snapping onto the lateral edges 184, 186, to couple the respectivemolding member 120 to the backing plate 180. A flange 138 may extendfrom the first end 124 of the spine 122 in the longitudinal direction L.The flange 138 can prevent overflexing of a channel molding assembly 100that includes a plurality of molding members 120.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the elongated end members 150 may include aspine 152 extending from a first end 154 to a second end 156 in alongitudinal direction L and two arms 158, 158′ extending from oppositesides of the spine 152 to form a substantially U-shaped configuration,as shown in FIG. 4. At the first end 154, a pair of first mountingflanges 160, 160′ extend from opposite sides of the spine 152, and eachof the first second flanges 160, 160′ includes a first opening 170,170′. At the second end 156, a pair of second mounting flanges 162, 162′extends from opposite sides of the spine 152, and each of the secondmounting flanges 162, 162′ includes a second opening 172. The pairs offirst and second mounting flanges 160, 160′, 162, 162′ are configuredsuch that when two molding members 150 are arranged second end 156 tofirst end 154 along the longitudinal direction L, the pair of secondmounting flanges 162, 162′ can overlap the pair of first mountingflanges 160, 160′. The connector 190, such as that illustrated in FIG.6, can be inserted through the openings 170, 170′, 172 in the first andsecond mounting flanges 160, 160′, 162, 162′ to couple the two moldingmembers 150 together.

As shown in FIG. 4, flanges 164, 164′ may extend from ends 166 of thearms 158, 158′ opposite to where the arms 158, 158′ extend from thespine 152. The flanges 164, 164′ are configured to engage a surface ofthe backing plate 180 to couple the respective molding member 150 to thebacking plate 180. Flanges 168, 168′ may extend from the first end 154and/or the second end 156 of the spine 152 in the longitudinal directionL. The flanges 168, 168′ can prevent overflexing of a channel moldingassembly 100 that includes a plurality of molding members 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of the molding members 120can be assembled together with connectors 190 such that the resultingchannel molding assembly 100 conforms to a desired shape and size of astructure (not shown) to which it will be attached. For example, thechannel molding assembly 100 can be assembled together with connectors190 to conform to a structure having an outside corner, an insidecorner, and/or other complex geometries. Elongated end members 150 areassembled at regions of the channel molding assembly 100 where no angledor curved surfaces are present and can transition the channel moldingassembly 100 from a complex geometry to a linear geometry.

In use, the flexible backing plate 180 is arranged in a desired geometryand affixed to the structure with nails, screws, or any otherconventional attachment member. The plurality of molding members 120 andthe elongated end members 150 are then attached to the backing plate 180by engaging the flanges 134, 134′, 164, 164′ with a back side of thebacking plate 180.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a protective channel molding or cover assembly 700in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The channelmolding assembly 700 includes a plurality of molding members 720 and abacking plate. The backing plate may comprise, for example, backingplate 180, discussed above, or backing plate 1580 (FIGS. 15-18),discussed in more detail below. According to various aspects, backingplate 180 and/or backing plate 1580 may be a flexible backing plate. Insome embodiments, the channel molding assembly 700 may include one ormore elongated end members (not shown).

The molding members 720 may include a spine 722 extending from a firstend 724 to a second end 726 in a longitudinal direction L and two arms728 extending from opposite sides of the spine 722 to form asubstantially U-shaped configuration. At the first end 724, a first one728′ of the two arms 728 includes a first opening 740 and a second one728″ of the two arms 728 includes a slotted opening 741. At the secondend 726, each of the two arms includes a second opening 742. The firstopening 740, the slotted opening 741, and the second opening 742 areconfigured such that when two molding members 720 are arranged secondend 726 to first end 724 along the longitudinal direction L such thatthe second end 726 of one molding member 720 overlaps the first end 724of an adjacent molding member 720, the second openings 742 overlap thefirst opening 740 and slotted opening 741.

A connector 790, such as that illustrated in FIG. 10, can be insertedthrough the openings 740, 741, 742 in the two arms 728 to couple the twomolding members 720 together. The connector 790 may comprise twoconnecting members 792, 794 that can be inserted through the openings740, 741, 742 from opposite sides of the molding member 720. A first oneof the connecting members 792 can be configured as a female membercapable of receiving the second one of the connecting members 794configured as a male member. The connecting members 792, 794 may includeopenings 798 and interlocking fingers 796, respectively, to secure theirconnection to one another.

When coupled together, the two adjacent molding members 720 may pivotrelative to one another in two planes in order to shape the flexiblechannel molding assembly 700 to conform to a structure having a complexgeometry such as, for example, an outside corner, an inside corner,and/or the like. For example, the two adjacent moldings 720 may berelatively pivotable about the connector 790 such that the moldingmembers 720 can move up and down in a first plane that extends in thelongitudinal direction L.

In addition, because the slotted opening 741 at the first end 724 of themolding member 720 is elongated in the longitudinal direction L, theconnector 790 can move throughout the length of the slotted opening 741in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the second end 726 of an adjacentmolding member 720 connected to the first end 724 of the molding member720 by the connector 790 can also move with the connector 790. When theconnector 790 is positioned at a middle of the slotted opening 741 inthe longitudinal direction L, the molding members 720 form a straightconfiguration in the longitudinal direction L. Movement of the connector790 through the length of the slotting opening 741 allows movement ofthe second end 726 of one molding member 720 relative to the first end724 of an adjacent molding member 720 that permits the channel moldingassembly 700 to bend left and right in a second plane that extends inthe longitudinal direction L and is orthogonal to the first plane.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-18, flexible backing plate 1580 may include aplurality of backing members 1582 coupled to one another by connectors1590. Each of the backing members 1582 includes a spine 1583 extendingfrom a first end 1584 to a second end 1586 in a longitudinal direction Land two V-shaped arms 1588 extending from opposite sides of the spine1583 to form a substantially U-shaped configuration. The V-shaped arms1588 are compressible in a direction transverse to the longitudinaldirection L.

The first end 1584 of each of the backing members 158, 158′2 includes apair of first holding members 1585 spaced apart in the directiontransverse to the longitudinal direction L, and the second end 1586 ofeach of the backing members 1582 includes a pair of second holdingmembers 1587 spaced apart in the transverse direction. The first andsecond holding members 1585, 1587 may be configured as flange-likemembers that extend from the first and second ends 1584, 1586,respectively, toward a middle of the backing members 1582.

The connectors 1590 include a spine 1592 configured to extend in thelongitudinal direction L of the backing plate 1580. To couple twoadjacent backing members 1582, the connectors 1590 include a first pairof laterally-extending arms 1594 disposed near a first end 1595 of thespine 1592 and a second pair of laterally-extending arms 1596 disposednear a second end 1597 of the spine. The first holding members 1585 ofone backing member 1582 are configured to receive the first pair oflaterally-extending arms 1594 of a connector 1590, while the secondholding members 1587 of an adjacent backing member 1582 are configuredto receive the second pair of laterally-extending arms 1596 of theconnector 1590. When coupling the two adjacent backing members 1582, thefirst end 1595 of the spine 1592 is disposed between the pair of firstspaced apart holding members 1585, and the second end 1597 of the spine1592 is disposed between the pair of second spaced apart holding members1587.

The connectors 1590 may be constructed of a flexible material, such as,for example, synthetic rubber, including, but not limited to, nitrile,silicone, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Consequently, theconnectors 1590 can bend in an up and down direction in a first planethat extends in the longitudinal direction L and in a left-rightdirection in a second plane that extends in the longitudinal direction Land is orthogonal to the first plane. The connectors 1590 may also beable to twist about a longitudinal axis of the spine 1592 extending inthe longitudinal direction L. As a result, a backing plate 158comprising a plurality of backing members 1582 coupled to one another bythe connectors 1590 may be shaped to conform to a structure having acomplex geometry such as, for example, an outside corner, an insidecorner, and/or the like.

Referring again to FIGS. 7-9, flanges 734 may extend from ends 736 ofthe arms 728 opposite to the spine 722. The flanges 734 are configuredto engage the V-shaped arms 1588 extending from opposite sides of thespine 1583 of the backing members 1582, for example, by clipping onto orsnapping onto the V-shaped arms 1588, to couple the respective moldingmember 720 to the backing plate 1580. Also, the spine 722 and the arms728 may be flared at the second end 724 of the molding member 720 topermit a desired amount of flexing of the channel molding assembly 700,while preventing overflexing of a channel molding assembly 700 thatincludes a plurality of molding members 720.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of the molding members 720can be assembled together with connectors 790 such that the resultingchannel molding assembly 700 can conform to a desired shape and size ofa structure (not shown) to which it will be attached. For example, thechannel molding assembly 700 can be assembled together with connectors790 to conform to a structure having an outside corner, an insidecorner, and/or any other complex geometries.

In use, the flexible backing plate 180, 1580 is arranged in a desiredgeometry and affixed to the structure with nails, screws, or any otherconventional attachment member. For example, the plurality of moldingmembers 720 and, optionally, elongated end members (not shown) are thenattached to the backing plate 1580 by engaging the flanges 734 with theV-shaped arms 1588 of the backing plate 1580.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate another embodiment of a protective channelmolding or cover assembly 1100 in accordance with various aspects of thedisclosure. The channel molding assembly 1100 includes a plurality ofmolding members 1120 and a backing plate, such as, for example, backingplate 180 or backing plate 1580, described above. In some embodiments,the channel molding assembly 1100 may include one or more elongated endmembers (not shown).

The molding members 1120 may include a spine 1122 extending from a firstend 1124 to a second end 1126 in a longitudinal direction L and two arms1128 extending from opposite sides of the spine 1122 to form asubstantially U-shaped configuration. On an inside surface 1123 of thespine 1122, the first end 1124 of each of the molding members 1120includes a pair of first holding members 1142 spaced apart in thedirection transverse to the longitudinal direction L, and the second end1126 of each of the molding members 1120 includes a pair of secondholding members 1144 spaced apart in the transverse direction. The firstand second holding members 1142, 1144 may be configured as flange-likemembers that extend from the first and second ends 1124, 1126,respectively, toward a middle of the molding member 1120.

The molding members 1120 are configured such that when two moldingmembers 1120 are arranged second end 1126 to first end 1124 along thelongitudinal direction L, the second end 1126 of one molding member 1120overlaps the first end 1124 of an adjacent molding member 1120.Connectors 1190 may be configured to couple adjacent molding members1120 to one another.

The connectors 1190 each include a spine 1192 configured to extend inthe longitudinal direction L of the molding member 1120. To couple twoadjacent molding members 1120, the connectors 1190 include a first pairof laterally-extending arms 1194 disposed near a first end 1195 of thespine 1192 and a second pair of laterally-extending arms 1196 disposednear a second end 1197 of the spine. The first holding members 1142 ofone molding member 1120 are configured to receive the first pair oflaterally-extending arms 1194 of a connector 1190, while the secondholding members 1144 of an adjacent molding member 1120 are configuredto receive the second pair of laterally-extending arms 1196 of theconnector 1190. When coupling the two adjacent molding members 1120, thefirst end 1195 of the spine 1192 is disposed between the pair of firstspaced apart holding members 1142, and the second end 1197 of the spine1192 is disposed between the pair of second spaced apart holding members1144.

The connectors 1190 may be constructed of a flexible material, such as,for example, synthetic rubber, including, but not limited to, nitrile,silicone, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Consequently, theconnectors 1190 can bend in an up and down direction in a first planethat extends in the longitudinal direction L and in a left-rightdirection in a second plane that extends in the longitudinal direction Land is orthogonal to the first plane. The connectors 1190 may also beable to twist about a longitudinal axis of the spine 1192 extending inthe longitudinal direction L. As a result, the molding assembly 1100comprising a plurality of molding members 1120 coupled to one another bythe connectors 1190 may be shaped to conform to a structure having acomplex geometry such as, for example, an outside corner, an insidecorner, and/or the like.

Referring again to FIGS. 11-13, flanges 1134, 134′ may extend from ends1136 of the arms 1128 opposite to the spine 1122. The flanges 1134 areconfigured to engage the V-shaped arms 1588 extending from oppositesides of the spine 1583 of the backing members 1582, for example, byclipping onto or snapping onto the V-shaped arms 1588, to couple therespective molding member 1120 to the backing plate 1580.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of the molding members1120 can be assembled together with the connectors 1190 such that theresulting channel molding assembly 1100 can conform to a desired shapeand size of a structure (not shown) to which it will be attached. Forexample, the channel molding assembly 1100 can be assembled togetherwith the connectors 1190 to conform to a structure having an outsidecorner, an inside corner, and/or any other complex geometries.

In use, the flexible backing plate 180, 1580 is arranged in a desiredgeometry and affixed to the structure with nails, screws, or any otherconventional attachment member. For example, the plurality of moldingmembers 1120 and, optionally, elongated end members (not shown) are thenattached to the backing plate 1580 by engaging the flanges 1134 with theV-shaped arms 1588 of the backing plate 1580.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible channel assembly, comprising: aplurality of cable guide members, each of the cable guide membersdefining a channel configured to receive a cable, and a plurality ofconnectors, each of the connectors being separate from the plurality ofcable guide members and being configured to be removably coupled withtwo adjacent cable guide members of the plurality of cable guidemembers, wherein each of the cable guide members includes a spineextending from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction,the spine having two opposite sides that extend from the first end tothe second end, wherein each of the cable guide members includes twoarms extending from the two opposite sides of the spine at an obliqueangle when viewing the first end in a plan view to form a substantiallyU-shaped configuration, wherein a first surface of the spine includes apair of first holding members at the first end and a pair of secondholding members at the second end, the first holding members beingspaced apart from one another in a lateral direction relative to thelongitudinal direction, and the second holding members being spacedapart from one another in the lateral direction, wherein each of thefirst holding members includes a flange that is spaced from the firstsurface of the spine and extends from the first end toward a middle ofthe respective cable guide member, and each of the second holdingmembers includes a flange that is spaced from the first surface of thespine and extends from the second end toward the middle of therespective cable guide member, wherein the cable guide members areconfigured such that when the two adjacent guide members are arrangedwith the second end of a first one of the two adjacent guide members atthe first end of a second one of the two adjacent guide members alongthe longitudinal direction, the second end of the first one of the twoadjacent guide members overlaps the first end of the second one of thetwo adjacent guide members, wherein each of the connectors includes aspine having a first end and a second end and being configured to extendin the longitudinal direction when coupled with the two adjacent cableguide members, wherein each of the connectors includes a pair of firstarms near the first end of the spine of the connector that extendlaterally relative to the longitudinal direction and a pair of secondarms near the second end of the spine of the connector that extendlaterally relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the secondholding members of the first one of the two adjacent guide members areconfigured to receive the first arms of a first connector, and the firstholding members of the second one of the two adjacent guide members areconfigured to receive the second arms of the first connector, whereinthe first end of the spine of the first connector is disposed betweenthe second holding members of the first one of the two adjacent guidemembers and the second end of the spine of the first connector isdisposed between the first holding members of the second one of the twoadjacent guide members when the connector couples the two adjacentholding members together, and wherein the plurality of connectors permitthe plurality of holding members to be pivotally coupled to one anotheralong an axial direction to conform to a surface having a non-lineargeometry that includes a bend.
 2. The flexible channel assembly of claim1, further comprising a flexible backing plate, the plurality of cableguide members being configured to be coupled with the backing plate todefine an enclosed flexible channel assembly.
 3. The flexible channelassembly of claim 2, wherein the backing plate includes a plurality ofbacking plate members, wherein each of the backing plate membersincludes a spine extending from a first end of the backing plate memberto a second end of the backing plate member in a longitudinal direction,the spine of each backing plate member having two opposite sides thatextend from the first end of the backing plate member to the second endof the backing plate member, wherein each of the backing plate membersincludes two V-shaped arms extending from the two opposite sides of thespine of the backing plate member at an oblique angle, wherein a firstsurface of the spine of each backing plate member includes a pair ofthird holding members at the first end and a pair of fourth holdingmembers at the second end, the third holding members being spaced apartfrom one another in the lateral direction, and the fourth holdingmembers being spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction,wherein each of the third holding members includes a flange that isspaced from the first surface of the spine of the backing plate memberand extends from the first end toward a middle of the respective backingplate member, and each of the fourth holding members includes a flangethat is spaced from the first surface of the spine of the backing platemember and extends from the second end toward the middle of therespective cable guide member, wherein the fourth holding members of afirst one of two adjacent backing plate members are configured toreceive the first arms of a second connector, and the third holdingmembers of a second one of the two adjacent backing plate members areconfigured to receive the second arms of the second connector, andwherein the first end of the spine of the second connector is disposedbetween the fourth holding members of the first one of the two adjacentbacking plate members and the second end of the spine of the secondconnector is disposed between the third holding members of the secondone of the two adjacent backing plate members when the connector couplesthe two adjacent backing plate members together.
 4. The flexible channelassembly of claim 3, further comprising flanges extending from ends ofthe two arms of the cable guide members, the flanges being configured tocouple the cable guide members with the arms of the backing plate todefine the enclosed flexible channel assembly.
 5. A flexible channelassembly, comprising: a plurality of cable guide members, each of thecable guide members defining a channel configured to receive a cable;and a plurality of connectors configured to be coupled with two adjacentcable guide members of the plurality of cable guide members, whereineach of the cable guide members includes a spine extending from a firstend to a second end in a longitudinal direction and two arms extendingfrom two opposite sides of the spine at an oblique angle when viewingthe first end in a plan view, wherein a first surface of the spineincludes a pair of first holding members at the first end and a pair ofsecond holding members at the second end, wherein each of the connectorsis configured to extend from a first end to a second end in thelongitudinal direction when coupled with the two adjacent cable guidemembers, wherein each of the connectors includes a pair of first armsnear the first end that extend laterally relative to the longitudinaldirection and a pair of second arms near the second end that extendlaterally relative to the longitudinal direction, wherein the secondholding members of the first one of the two adjacent guide members areconfigured to receive the first arms of a first connector, and the firstholding members of the second one of the two adjacent guide members areconfigured to receive the second arms of the first connector, andwherein the plurality of connectors permit the plurality of holdingmembers to be pivotally coupled to one another along an axial directionto conform to a surface having a non-linear geometry that includes abend.
 6. The flexible channel assembly of claim 5, wherein the firstholding members are spaced apart from one another in a lateral directionrelative to the longitudinal direction, and the second holding membersare spaced apart from one another in the lateral direction, wherein eachof the first holding members includes a flange that is spaced from thefirst surface of the spine and extends from the first end toward amiddle of the respective cable guide member, and each of the secondholding members includes a flange that is spaced from the first surfaceof the spine and extends from the second end toward the middle of therespective cable guide member, and wherein the first end of the firstconnector is disposed between the second holding members of the firstone of the two adjacent guide members and the second end of the firstconnector is disposed between the first holding members of the secondone of the two adjacent guide members when the connector couples the twoadjacent holding members together.
 7. The flexible channel assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the cable guide members are configured such that whenthe two adjacent guide members are arranged with the second end of afirst one of the two adjacent guide members at the first end of a secondone of the two adjacent guide members along the longitudinal direction,the second end of the first one of the two adjacent guide membersoverlaps the first end of the second one of the two adjacent guidemembers.
 8. The flexible channel assembly of claim 5, further comprisinga flexible backing plate, the plurality of cable guide members beingconfigured to be coupled with the backing plate to define an enclosedflexible channel assembly.
 9. The flexible channel assembly of claim 8,wherein the backing plate includes a plurality of backing plate members,wherein each of the backing plate members includes a spine extendingfrom a first end of the backing plate member to a second end of thebacking plate member in a longitudinal direction and two opposite sidesthat extend from the first end of the backing plate member to the secondend of the backing plate member, and wherein each of the backing platemembers includes two arms extending from the two opposite sides of thespine of the backing plate member at an oblique angle.
 10. The flexiblechannel assembly of claim 9, further comprising flanges extending fromends of the two arms of the cable guide members, the flanges beingconfigured to couple the cable guide members with the arms of thebacking plate members to define the enclosed flexible channel assembly.11. The flexible channel assembly of claim 9, wherein a first surface ofthe spine of each backing plate member includes a pair of third holdingmembers at the first end and a pair of fourth holding members at thesecond end, the third holding members being spaced apart from oneanother in the lateral direction, and the fourth holding members beingspaced apart from one another in the lateral direction, wherein each ofthe third holding members includes a flange that is spaced from thefirst surface of the spine of the backing plate member and extends fromthe first end toward a middle of the respective backing plate member,and each of the fourth holding members includes a flange that is spacedfrom the first surface of the spine of the backing plate member andextends from the second end toward the middle of the respective cableguide member, wherein the fourth holding members of a first one of twoadjacent backing plate members are configured to receive the first armsof a second connector, and the third holding members of a second one ofthe two adjacent backing plate members are configured to receive thesecond arms of the second connector, and wherein the first end of thespine of the second connector is disposed between the fourth holdingmembers of the first one of the two adjacent backing plate members andthe second end of the spine of the second connector is disposed betweenthe third holding members of the second one of the two adjacent backingplate members when the connector couples the two adjacent backing platemembers together.
 12. A flexible channel assembly, comprising: aplurality of cable guide members, each of the cable guide membersdefining a channel configured to receive a cable; and a plurality ofconnectors configured to be coupled with two adjacent cable guidemembers of the plurality of cable guide members, wherein each of thecable guide members includes a spine extending from a first end to asecond end in a longitudinal direction and two arms extending from twoopposite sides of the spine at an oblique angle when viewing the firstend in a plan view, wherein a first surface of the spine includes a pairof first holding members at the first end and a pair of second holdingmembers at the second end, wherein each of the connectors is configuredto extend in the longitudinal direction from a first end to a second endwhen coupled with the two adjacent cable guide members, wherein each ofthe connectors includes a pair of first arms near the first end thatextend laterally relative to the longitudinal direction and a pair ofsecond arms near the second end that extend laterally relative to thelongitudinal direction, wherein the second holding members of a firstone of the two adjacent guide members are configured to receive thefirst arms of a first connector, and the first holding members of asecond one of the two adjacent guide members are configured to receivethe second arms of the first connector, and wherein the plurality ofconnectors permit the plurality of holding members to be pivotallycoupled to one another.
 13. The flexible channel assembly of claim 12,wherein the first holding members are spaced apart from one another in alateral direction relative to the longitudinal direction, and the secondholding members are spaced apart from one another in the lateraldirection, wherein each of the first holding members includes a flangethat is spaced from the first surface of the spine and extends from thefirst end toward a middle of the respective cable guide member, and eachof the second holding members includes a flange that is spaced from thefirst surface of the spine and extends from the second end toward themiddle of the respective cable guide member, and wherein the first endof the spine of the first connector is disposed between the secondholding members of the first one of the two adjacent guide members andthe second end of the spine of the first connector is disposed betweenthe first holding members of the second one of the two adjacent guidemembers when the connector couples the two adjacent holding memberstogether.
 14. The flexible channel assembly of claim 12, wherein thecable guide members are configured such that when the two adjacent guidemembers are arranged with the second end of a first one of the twoadjacent guide members at the first end of a second one of the twoadjacent guide members along the longitudinal direction, the second endof the first one of the two adjacent guide members overlaps the firstend of the second one of the two adjacent guide members.
 15. Theflexible channel assembly of claim 12, further comprising a flexiblebacking plate, the plurality of cable guide members being configured tobe coupled with the backing plate to define an enclosed flexible channelassembly.
 16. The flexible channel assembly of claim 15, wherein thebacking plate includes a plurality of backing plate members, and whereineach of the cable guide members includes two arms extending from twoopposite sides of the spine at an oblique angle, and each of the backingplate members includes two arms extending from two opposite sides of thebacking plate member at an oblique angle.
 17. The flexible channelassembly of claim 16, further comprising flanges extending from ends ofthe two arms of the cable guide members, the flanges being configured tocouple the cable guide members with the arms of the backing platemembers to define the enclosed flexible channel assembly.
 18. Theflexible channel assembly of claim 16, wherein a first surface of eachbacking plate member includes a pair of third holding members at thefirst end and a pair of fourth holding members at the second end, thethird holding members being spaced apart from one another in the lateraldirection, and the fourth holding members being spaced apart from oneanother in the lateral direction.
 19. The flexible channel assembly ofclaim 18, wherein each of the third holding members includes a flangethat is spaced from the first surface of the backing plate member andextends from the first end toward a middle of the respective backingplate member, and each of the fourth holding members includes a flangethat is spaced from the first surface of the backing plate member andextends from the second end toward the middle of the respective cableguide member, and wherein the first end of the second connector isdisposed between the fourth holding members of the first one of the twoadjacent backing plate members and the second end of the secondconnector is disposed between the third holding members of the secondone of the two adjacent backing plate members when the connector couplesthe two adjacent backing plate members together.
 20. The flexiblechannel assembly of claim 18, wherein the fourth holding members of afirst one of two adjacent backing plate members are configured toreceive the first arms of a second connector, and the third holdingmembers of a second one of the two adjacent backing plate members areconfigured to receive the second arms of the second connector.